Light Bulbs and Artificial Lighting

Magnesium is commonly used in flash bulbs because it produces a bright white light when ignited.

This has to do with the potential difference(voltage) reaching each bulb.

If the bulbs are placed in series, the voltage will be divided among them(for example, 9V battery powering two identical bulbs will result in each bulb getting 4.5V). Thus, they would each only be One fourth as bright than if there was a single bulb as the power is Voltage squared. If Voltage is halved then power goes one fourth.


If the bulbs are placed in parallel, the current(amperage) is divided instead, resulting in each bulb getting the same voltage. This will result in both bulbs having brightness equal to a single bulb.

The coiled filament in a light bulb is designed to increase the surface area of the filament. This helps to maximize the amount of light produced while also allowing it to reach a high temperature quickly, which is necessary for creating light through incandescence.

Thomas Edison is credited with inventing the first commercially practical incandescent light bulb in 1879. However, it is important to note that others had also developed similar technology around the same time, so Edison was not the only one working on this invention.

The original incandescent light bulb has evolved into more energy-efficient options like LED and compact fluorescent bulbs. These alternatives last longer, use less energy, and produce less heat, leading to cost savings and environmental benefits. Additionally, smart bulbs now allow for remote control, dimming, and scheduling through smartphone apps.

To calculate the temperature of a light bulb, you can use the Stefan-Boltzmann law, which relates the temperature of an object to the amount of radiation it emits. You would need to measure the power output of the light bulb and its surface area to calculate the temperature. Keep in mind that the temperature of a light bulb can vary depending on factors like the type of bulb and how it is being used.

Streetlight bulbs are typically made of a glass envelope that is filled with gas (e.g., mercury vapor, sodium vapor, or LED). The gas is responsible for producing light when an electric current passes through it. Some bulbs also contain a filament inside the glass envelope for incandescent lighting.

Light bulbs typically consist of a glass bulb, a filament (usually made of tungsten), a base for connecting to a power source, and inert gases such as argon or krypton inside the bulb to prevent oxidation of the filament. Older incandescent bulbs also used a vacuum or a fill gas of nitrogen.

Yes, LED light is coherent. It consists of photons that are in phase with each other, producing a single wavelength of light. This coherence is what allows LEDs to emit light with high efficiency and brightness.

A 100-watt incandescent light bulb is not very efficient, as it converts only about 10% of the electricity it uses into light, with the rest being lost as heat. It is more energy-efficient to use LED or CFL bulbs, which can produce the same amount of light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb while using significantly less energy.

The gas you are referring to is likely argon. Argon is a noble gas commonly used in incandescent light bulbs to prevent the evaporation of the filament and prolong the bulb's life. It is odorless, colorless, and non-reactive under normal conditions.

The number on the top of a light bulb indicates the wattage of the bulb, which is a measure of the amount of power the bulb consumes. This can give you an idea of how bright the light will be and how much energy it will use.

The sliding filament theory is important because it explains how muscles generate force and contract. It helps us understand the physiological processes that enable muscle movement and how muscles interact with nerves to produce movement. This theory serves as a foundation for research and advancements in exercise physiology, rehabilitation, and sports performance.

My city invested in changing over street lighting to low sodium pressure only to end up replacing it all a few years later. The problems with low sodium pressure is two fold. Most objectionable is that the light source washes out color distinctions to the point that it is difficult to accurately describe a vehicle's color. The second objection relates to the difficulty of controlling the light output with the usual lens types. The low sodium pressure lights ended up producing annoying light diffusion to residences. The plus side is that this source of lighting is the most economical as the light output is very high.

The wire in a light bulb is typically made of tungsten. When an electric current passes through the wire, it heats up and emits light, creating illumination in the bulb. The tungsten wire has a high melting point, allowing it to withstand the heat generated during operation.

Two equal impedance loads in parallel will consume a certain amount of power, depending on the input voltage. Place those two loads in series, and you double the impedance, which halves the current, which quarters the power in each load. Additionally, make those loads light bulbs, and the negative temperature coefficient of the bulbs would make them draw slightly more than just one quarter the power, because they are now running cooler and have slightly lower impedance..

The filament is a thin wire made of a material that produces light when electricity passes through it. It heats up and emits light when an electric current flows through it in an incandescent light bulb.

Most incandescent light bulbs contain argon gas and a small amount of nitrogen. These gases help to prevent the filament from oxidizing and burning out too quickly. LED and fluorescent bulbs contain a mixture of gases like argon, xenon, and mercury vapor.

UV bulbs are usually fluorescent tubes with the normal white phoshor powders removed.

Heaters at each end of the tube excite electrons to 'boil' off the wires. A high voltage is applied via an inductor or choke across the tube ends which sets up a flow of electrons through the tube called a plasma. This is the 'electric blue' of a miniature lightning bolt and emits UV light.

Fluorescent light bulbs are more efficient because they produce more light with less energy compared to incandescent bulbs. They also last longer, which means lower energy consumption and less frequent replacements.

Incandescent light bulbs typically heat up to full brightness within a few seconds of being turned on. LED light bulbs, on the other hand, reach full brightness instantly upon being switched on.

The glass surrounding the filament in a light bulb serves as a protective barrier. It helps to prevent the filament from oxidizing (burning up) when exposed to oxygen in the air, which could cause the filament to fail prematurely. The glass also helps to contain the heat generated by the filament and allows light to pass through while providing structural support for the bulb.

A 60 watt light bulb produces 60 watts of heat energy as a byproduct of generating light.

Yes. The current is inversely proportional to the resistance.

I = V / R where I is current, V is voltage, and R is resistance. Adding light bulbs adds resistance.

Current is constant throughout a series circuit; it doesn't change no matter what. Voltage changes.